Apparatus for distilling water



R. E. BROWN APPARATUS FOR DISTILL May 11, 1937.

ING WATER 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 12

y 1937. R. E. BROWN 2,079,897

APPARATUS FOR DI STILLING WATER Filed Oct 12, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 If ale-AMA" May 11, 1937.

R. E. BROWN APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING WATER Filed Oct. 12, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 11, 193'? sense? E ATENT OFFlQE.

APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING WATER Robert E. Brown, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of one-half to Jacob B. Parker, Pasadena, Calif.

Application October 12, 1934, Serial No. 748,058

6 Claims. (01. 202-496) This invention relates to a distilling apparatus and a general object of the invention is to provide a practical efficient automatic apparatus for purifying drinking water by distillation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device or apparatus adapted to receive water from a city water line or other suitable source, automatically distill it and then aerate it to restore its oxygen content and life.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic apparatus for distilling water that is embodied in a relatively small, compact unit suitable for installation in a residence, office, store, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for purifying water that may receive the water directly from the city water line or other suitable source, vaporize the water by heat, condense the water vapors, aerate the resultant distilled water by agitation and then deliver it to a cooling olla or other receptacle from which it may be withdrawn.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic apparatus for purifying drinking water by distillation that is capable of supplying aerated distilled water in substantially unlimited quantities as conditions may require.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned that is entirely automatic in its operation and requires but very little adjustment or attention.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned that includes a safety means for automatically rendering the heating element and the other parts inoperative when the water supply is interrupted or suspended.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned that includes a novel effective means for automatically aerating the distilled water by agitation before it is delivered to the olla or cooling receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned that has wall portions and internal parts of transparent material whereby the operation of the agitator or aerator may be observed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned that is 50 economical and efiicient and only uses water and electrical energy when the water level in the olla or cooling receptacle is lowered.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a typical embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged, central, vertical, detailed sectional view of the principal parts of the apparatus, being aview taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 33 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 44 on Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the safety diaphragm means. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical fragmentary sectional view illustrating the friction governor or drive of the control. Fig, 'Zis an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the valve for controlling the incoming water. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan elevation of a portion of the control being a view taken substantially as indicated by line 8-8 on Fig. 2 showing certain parts in cross section. .Fig. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuits embodied in the apparatus. Fig. 10 is a vertical detailed sectional view of the upper portion of another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken as indicated by line II-II on Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a form of the invention embodying novel means for cooling the olla, showing certain parts in cross section.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, of the drawings, includes, generally, a receptacle Ill for receiving and holding the distilled water, a body or case ll supported on the receptacle ID, a boiler l2 in the case II, a condenser l3 in the case H for receiving the water vapor from the boiler, means l4 for aerating the distilled water from the condenser I3, an automatic control l5 for the boiler l2, the condenser i3 and the aerating means 14, and various other mechanisms, the details and functions of which will be hereinafter set forth.

The receptacle II] is provided to receive and hold the water distilled and aerated by the apparatus. In practice the receptacle IEI may be in the nature of an olla of suitable porous material so that the purified or distilled water is maintained at a relatively low temperature by the evaporation of water from its outer surfaces. In

l8 projects upwardly beyond the housing [6 to carry the case A valve or faucet I9 is provided for drawing or draining the water from the receptacle h'l. A spreader may extend between the spaced legs I! to support a carrier 2| for holding a glass or other drinking vessel below the faucet IS.

The body or case houses the boiler l2, the condenser l3, the aerating means i4 and the principal parts of the automatic control l5. The case M may be an upright, substantially cylindrical structure as illustrated throughout the drawings. The active or working parts of the apparatus may be embodied in a relatively small assembly so that the case may be of less diameter than the receptacle I4 and its housing IS. The case ll may include an upper section 22 of sheet metal or the like and a lower section 23 of glass or other transparent material. The upper case section 22 is tubular and its upper end is normally closed by a removable closure or cover 24. The cover 24 forms the top or upper wall of the boiler 2 and is suitably insulated. The insulating means for the cover 24 may include a lower wall 25 connected with the cover proper at its periphery and spaced below the cover to provide a space for carrying insulating material I. A service opening 9 may be provided in the front wall of the section 22 and may be normally closed by a removable door 8. The control I5 and various other parts are made accessible by removing the door 8.

The lower transparent section 23 of the case has an .annular groove 26 in its lower edge or end receiving the neck I8 of the receptacle in. The

" lower section 23 rests on the neck l8 and supports the upper section 22. A transverse partition'2'l is provided across the upper portion of the section 23. The lower case section 23 with its partition 21 and other parts may be a single integral casting of glass being made of transparent material so that the aerating means l4 may be readily observed when the device is in operation. The lower portion of the upper case section 22 surrounds an upper edge portion of the section 23 and the section 22 is supported on a shoulder 28. A perforated plate or partition 29 of metal or the like is arranged in the lower portion of the section 22 and is spaced a short distance above the partition 21. The partition 29 is supported on the upper edge of the section 23 by a water shed having a downwardly and inwardly projecting flange I40. The openings or perforations in the partition provide for air circulation in the case.

The boiler I2 is arranged in the upper portion of the case I! and is supplied with water from a suitable source under the control of the means l5. In the preferred construction the boiler I2 is subtantially centrally disposed in the upper portion of the case section 22 and has an outwardly projecting annular flange 30 at its upper end which is suitably secured to the upper edge portion of the section 22. The particular boiler l2 illustrated in the drawings is a cylindrical container having a horizontal bottom 3|. A shell 32 depends from the flange 30 and surrounds the boiler |2 in spaced relation thereto to provide a space for carrying heat insulating material I. The lower wall 25 of the cover 24 has a downwardly projecting central portion whose periphery fits within and seals with the upper portion of the boiler l2.

A heating means is provided in the boiler l2 to vaporize the water therein. The heating means maybe in the nature of an electric heating element 33 arranged in the lower portion of the boiler. The heating element 33 is a spiral or coil and is suitably insulated against contact by water. A tubular stem or pipe 34 projects downwardly from the center of the cover 24 to carry the heating element 33. The leads or con ductors 35 of the heating element 33 extend through the cover 24 and the energization of the element is under the control of the control means l5 as will be hereinafter described. A safety pressure relief valve 38 may be provided in the cover 24 to relieve any appreciable pressure that may develop in the boiler 2. condenser system is substantially open so that very little pressure develops in the boiler. The relief valve 36 may be provided with a whistle to give warning of the pressure in the boiler.

The condenser |3 is positioned in the case below the boiler l2 and its outer wall may be formed by an extension of the shell 32. The top or upper wall 37 of the condenser I3 is spaced below the bottom 3| of the boiler to leave a space for holding insulation I. The bottom 38 of the condenser I3 is dished or inclined toward its center so that the condensed vapor or water may flow or run into a downwardly extending outlet pipe 39. A vapor pipe 40 of comparatively large diameter has communication with the upper end of the condenser 3 and extends upwardly through the bottom 3| of the boiler to project into the upper portion of the boiler. 40 con-ducts the vapor from the boiler downwardly into the condenser l3. A cooling coil 4| is provided in the condenser l3. The particular cooling coil illustrated in the drawings has an outer tubular coil portion A and an inner coil portion B which is of downwardly diminishing diameter, tapering downwardly toward the bottom 38 of the condenser. The pipe 42 for carrying the cooling medium or water to the coil 4| and the pipe 43 carrying the water from the coil 4| extend through openings in the bottom 38 of the condenser.

It is a feature of the invention that the water used as a cooling medium in the condenser coil 4| is fed to the boiler l2. The water for circulat I ing through the condenser coil 4| and for delivery to the boiler I2 is brought into the case M from a suitable external source by a pipe 44. The pipe 44 has a main lead discharging into a lateral or horizontal port 45 in the par tition 29. The intake pipe 42 of the condenser coil 4| receives the water from the port 45. A suitable cut-off and regulating valve 46 may be provided for controlling the flow from the port 45 to the pipe 42 and may have an operating handle projecting from the forward side of the case M.

The pipe 43 carrying the water from the coil 4| extends upwardly into the forward upper portion of the case i where it discharges downwardly into a vertically disposed gauge glass 47. A block 48 supports the lower end of the gauge glass 41 and a pipe or conduit 49 extends from the lower end of the gauge glass to the lower portion of the boiler l2. A perforated baflle 59 may be pro- The pipe The boiler and vided on the upper end of the gauge glass 47 to break up the water discharging from the pipe 43 A drain pipe or overflow 5| extends upwardly into the gauge glass 41 and has perforations 52 at points between its ends for receiving the excess water supplied to the gauge glass. The water supplied to the gauge glass 41 by the pipe 43 may normally be in excess of that required by the boiler 2 and the outlet 5| carries off the excess water. It will be apparent that the water is warmed to some extent when it passes through the condenser coil ii and it retains a certain amount of this heat when it is delivered to the boiler l2 from the gauge glass 41 and pipe 49. The perforations 52 are located and proportioned so that the required water lever is maintained in the boiler.

An inspection or sight opening 53 is provided in the front of the case I! whereby the gauge 41 is at all times visible. The sight opening 53 provides an outlet for vapor from the water discharged by the pipe 43 and an outlet for the gases that are driven from the water when it is heated in the coil ll. The drain pipe or overflow extends downwardly through the case H and passes through inclined openings in the partition 29 and the lower section 23 and thence to the exterior of the case. The invention includes means for draining condensation and leakage from the space S between the partitions 2'! and 29. An inclined recess 55 is provided in the partition Z'l around the overflow 5i. The recess 55 collects leakage and condensation from the space S which leakage or condensation water is free to pass out through an opening or openings 56 in the overflow 5|.

The means M for aerating the distilled water from the condenser l3 re-charges the water with the air or oxygen that it loses in the distilling process. The means ht includes an open topped container or cup 51 suspended below the partition 21 by hangers 58. The cup 51 is of glass or other transparent material and is centrally positioned within the case section 23. The pipe 39 projects from the bottom of the condenser l3 .and extends through openings in the partitions 2'! and 29 to project into the cup 51. The pipe 39 carries the condensed vapor or distilled water from the condenser to the cup 5'1. Perforations 60 may be provided in the pipe 39 adjacent the plane of the upper edge of the cup 51 to provide for a free discharge from the pipe and prevent a pressure from developing in the condenser and boiler system. A rotatable agitator 5| is provided in the cup 5'! to agitate and aerate the water. The agitator 6| may be in the form of a horizontally disposed disc having downwardly turned blades at substantially diametrically opposite points on its periphery.

The agitator BI is carried by a shaft 62 which extends upwardly through openings in the parti tions 21 and 29. The shaft 62 is the driven shaft of a suitable electric motor M mounted on the partition 29. In accordance with the invention the axis of rotation of the agitator 6| is spaced equidistant from the center of the cup 51 and the peripheral wall of the cup so that the operation of the agitator does not cause the water to be thrown from the cup. The rotating agitator til aerates the water so that it is recharged with air before it reaches the receptacle l0. Tubular bosses 63 project upwardly from the partition 21 around the pipe 39 and the shaft 62, to prevent the leakage of condensation, etc. downwardly around the pipe and shaft. A fan F may be pro vided on the upper end of the motor and agitater shaft 62 to provide for a circulation of air in the case I l and to cool the motor M. An electric light or lamp L may be provided to illuminate the aerating means M. The Socket 1 carrying the lamp L may be arranged in an opening 6 in the partition 29. The lamp L illuminates the interior of the transparent case section 23 and the transparent cup 51.

The control or control means I5 is an important feature of the invention as it provides for the automatic operation of the apparatus. The control l5 automatically governs the operation of the agitator 6!, the energization of the heating element 33 and the delivery of water to the condenser l3 and boiler l2. In accordance with the invention the control i5 is governed by or is responsive to the level of the Water in the receptacle Iii to automatically actuate the distilling and aerating apparatus when the level of the water in the receptacle falls below a predetermined point. The control 15 includes a float 64 in the receptacle in. A stem or rod 65 is connected to the float 64 and extends upwardly through openings in the partitions 21 and 29 to project into the case H above the partition 29. The rod t5 may be bent to extend around the bottom and peripheral wall of the cup 51, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, to avoid the necessary of providing an opening in the cup. A tubular boss 83 projects upwardly from the partition 2'! to the partition 29 to surround the rod 65 and prevent leakage thereabout. Downwardly projecting bosses 6i: are-provided on the partition 21 to surround the agitator shaft 62 and the float rod 65 and provide water seals about the shaft and rod which prevent air from passing downwardly from the interior of the section 22 into the section 23.

The float 64 governs a switch 61 in the motor circuit 58. The switch 6'! is preferably a mercury switch and is operatively connected with a shaft 69. A yoke or finger 10 is provided on the shaft 69 and is alternately engageable by spaced stops or collars H on the float rod 65. When the level of the water in the receptacle it! drops the float rod 65 moves downwardly so that the upper collar II engages the finger Hi to turn the switch shaft 69. This turning of the shaft (59 closes the switch and results in energization of the motor M and rotation of the agitator 6 I When the level of the water in the receptacle I0 is again brought to the normal the lower collar ll engages the finger 19 to turn the shaft 69 in a direction to open the switch 61 and de-energize the motor M.

The control l 5 includes a valve 12 in the Water supply system which is opened by operation of the motor M. In the preferred arrangement the valve 12 is in the form of a plug turnable in an opening 13 in the partition 29 to control the flow through the port 45. The stem of the valve 12 carries a lever M. A spring 15 is connected with the valve lever 14 to normally urge the valve 12 to its closed position. The means for turning or operating the valve 12 includes a disc or fly-wheel 16 fixed on the agitator shaft 62. A socket TI is provided in the partition 29 to receive or house the fly-wheel l6 and its associated parts. Circumferentially spaced outwardly and upwardly inclined openings 18 are provided in the periphery of the fly-wheel 16 to carry a plurality of centrifugally actuated balls 19. A drum 80- is freely rotatable on the agitator shaft 62 and its flange surrounds the fly-wheel 16 with clearance. A boss Bl on the fly-Wheel l6 may normally support the drum 80. When the agitator shaft 52 is rotating the balls 19 are held outwardby centifugal force to have frictional cooperation with the drum 80 and thus urge the drum to turn with the shaft. The frictional cooperation of the balls 19 with the drum an forms a friction drive or yielding drive between the fly-wheel 16 and drum. A substantially horse-shoe shaped enlargement H4 is provided in the port and partially surrounds the socket H to form a cooling chamber ment 33 vaporizes the water in the boiler I2 and the vapors pass down through the pipe 40 into the condenser I3 The water continuously circulating through the coil 4I condenses the vapor to form water which freely drains out through the pipe 30 into the cup 51. The agitator BI rotating in the cup 51 aerates the water in the cup before it overflows into the receptacle I0.

The apparatus operates as just described until the level in the receptacle I is raised until the lower collar ll of the float actuated rod 65 engages the finger 'I0 and turns theshaft 69. This turning of the shaft 69 opens the switch- 67 to deenergize the motor M. Upon de-energization of the motor M the spring I5 automatically closes the valve I2 and opens the switch 86 to cut off the flow of water throughthe system and de-energize the heating element 33. From the above it will be apparent how thecontrol I5 provides for the automatic distillation of the water and aeration of the distilled water as required to maintain a predetermined level in the receptacle I0. The apparatus operates entirely without manual control or attention.

In the event that the water supply to the apparatus is interrupted the spring I03 acting on the diaphragm IOI moves the rod I02 to a position .where it holds the switch 01 open so that the apparatus cannot operate in the event that the water level in the receptacle I0 is loweredwhen the supply of water is cut ofi. The valve 46 may be adjusted at will to provide for the desired rate of operation of the distilling apparatus. When it is desired to flush out the boiler I2 the cover 24 may be removed from the case II. Removal of the cover 24 automatically opens the energizing circuits of the motor M and heating element 33 so that the distilling apparatus is rendered inoperative. The apparatus being inoperative the valve I2 is closed; however, if desired, the valve 46 may also be closed to positively prevent the flow through the pipe 42 and the condenser coil to the boiler. The valve I I2 is then opened and the valve H0 opened to provide for the discharge of water into the boiler. If desired the water already in the boiler may be drained out through the by-pass HI and the valve H2 before opening the valve I I0. The water used to wash out the boiler I2 freely flows out through the by-pass I I I and the overflow pipe 5|.

During the operation of the apparatus the aerating means IQ may be observed in operation through the transparent walls of the section 23. The means I4 re-charges the distilled water with oxygen bringing back its life and making it healthful and palatable. The apparatus is embodied in a small compact unit and is entirely automatic in operation.

Figs. and 11 of the drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention including a condenser I3 enclosed in a water jacket or manifold I22. The manifold I20 may be in the nature of an extension of the shell 32 closed at its lower end by a bottom I2I. A vapor pipe 40 extends from r the upper portion of the boiler I2 to the upper end of the condenser I3 An outlet pipe 39 extends from the bottom of the condenser I3 to the cup 5'! (not shown) of the aerating means. The incoming water line 44 discharges into the upper end portion of the manifold I20. An outlet pipe I22 communicates with the upper portion of the manifold I20 and discharges downwardly into the glass gauge 41. Water is adapted to freely circulate through the manifold I20 around the condenser I3 to condense the vapors supplied to the condenser from the boiler I2. A thermostatic control is provided for the water supply of thecondenser and the boiler feed. A valve 523 is interposed in the pipe 44 A thermostatic element I24 extends intothe lower portion of the cooling manifold I20 and has operative cooperation with the. valve I23.

In the operation of the device illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings the control I5 may govern the supply of water to the pipe 44 and controls the heating element of the boiler and the aerating means as in the previously described form of theinventi'on. When the water in the cooling manifold I20 is relatively warm the valve I23 remains open to provide for the circulation of water through the manifold and to the gauge 41. When the temperature of the water in the manifold drops below a predetermined point the thermostatic element I24 closes the valve I23 to cut off the circulation of cooling water through the manifold. It will be obvious that the cooling water circulating through the manifold I20 condenses the vapor in the condenser I l3= so that the distilled wateris delivered to the aerating means by the pipe 39% Means is provided for automatically flushing out the boiler I2 before and after each distilling operation, A valve I50 is provided in a drain pipe I5I extending from the boiler I2. A thermostat I52 is provided adjacent the pipe l5! and is under the control of an electric heating element I53 which may surround the pipe I5I. The element I53 is controlled by the control means I5 to be energized and de-energized simultaneously with the heating element 33 of the boiler. The thermostat I52 has turnable cams I54 on its opposite ends to operate the valves I23 and I50. When the element I53 is energized, together with the element 33, the upper cam I54 engages the operating stem or lever I55 of the valve I23 to open the valve so that a fresh supply of water is delivered to the boiler I2. The drain valve I50 is open at this time so that this water is freely circulated through the boiler to the drain pipe I5I to flush out the boiler. The lower cam I54 of the thermostat I52 then cooperates with the stem I56 of the valve I50 to close the valve I50 so that water is retained in the boiler to be vaporized. The upper cam I54 moves out of cooperation with the stem I55 so that the valve I23 is under the control of thethermostat I24 during the distilling operation as described in the preceding paragraph. When the heating element 33 and the heating element I53 are de-energized by the control I5 the lower cam I54 of the thermostat I52 cooperates with the valve stem I56 to open the drain Valve I50 and allow for the discharge of the water remaining in the boiler I2. The upper cam I54 then cooperates with the valve stem I55 to open the valve I23 and thus supply flushing water to the boiler l2. This water freely circulates through the boiler I2 to flush it out after the distilling operation. From the above it will be seen that the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings embodies a boiler feed under the control of a thermostat in the water jacket of the condenser I3 and includes means for automatically flushing out the boiler I2 prior to and following each distilling operation.

Fig. 12 of the drawings illustrates an improved means for cooling the olla or water containing receptacle m The cooling means illustrated in Fig. 12 may be embodied in the previously described forms of the invention. A port I30 extends downwardly through a wall of the lower transparent section 23 of the case. The drain or overflow pipe h from the glass gauge 41 of the boiler feed discharges into the port I38. The port I33 communicates at its lower end with an annular passage I3I in the wall of the section 23 Downwardly directed perforations or jets I32 communicate with the passage I3I at circumferentially spaced points. Wicks I33 are arranged in the jets I32 so that the water circulating through the passage I3I may drip from the jets I32 onto the upper portion of the receptacle Ill The receptacle Ill is preferably formed of a more or less porous material so that the water dripping from the jets I32 is partially absorbed and spreads over itssurface to quickly evaporate and cool the water contained in the receptacle. The water from the pipe 5 I is cooled as it flows through the passage I3I. An outlet pipe I34 extends from the passage I 3I- to a supporting trough or pan I35 carrying the receptacle IE where it directly dischar es into a drain pipe I36. The pan I35 carries an absorbent block or disc I31. The disc I37 may be formed of sandstone or the like and absorbs the water that flows down the sides of the receptacle I I) and forms a cooling element at the bottom of the receptacle,

' Having described only typical forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific forms and applications herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall Within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim;

1. Apparatus of the character described including a, boiler, heating means in the boiler, a condenser for condensing the vapor from the boiler, means for aerating the distilled water from the condenser, a valve for governing the 40 feed of water to the boiler, and a control. in-

cluding means for energizing the aerating means, and means actuated by the said aerating means for energizing the heating means and controlling the valve.

2. Apparatus of the character described including a boiler, heating means in the boiler, a condenser for condensing the vapor from the boiler, means for aerating the distilled water from the condenser, a valve for governing the 5o feed of water to the boiler, a receptacle for receiving the distilled water from the aerating means, a float control for actuating the aerating means when the water in the receptacle falls below a given level, and means actuated by the aerating means for energizing the heating means and controlling the valve.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a case including a removable cover, a boiler in the case accessible upon removal of the cover, a-

heating element for the boiler, a condenser in association with the boiler, means for aerating the distilled water from the condenser, and means for rendering the heating element and the aerating means inoperative when the cover is removed.

4. Apparatus of the character described including a receptacle, a case supported on the receptacle, means in the case for distilling water, a partition across the interior of the case, an open cup below the partition, a pipe delivering the distilled water to the cup to overflow therefrom into the receptacle, a power means in the case above the partition, a shaft from the power means extending through an opening in the partition to project into the cup, an agitator on the shaft in the cup, and means providing a Water seal around the shaft.

5. Apparatus of the character described including a receptacle, a case supported on the receptacle, a boiler in the case, a heating element for the boiler, a condenser in the case for receiving vapor from the boiler and including a water carrying cooling means adapted to feed the boiler, a container forreceiving the distilled Water from the condenser and discharging it into the receptacle, means for agitating the Water in the container to aerate it, a valve controlling the supply of water to the cooling means, and means for automatically controlling the heating element, valve and means for agitating the water.

6. Apparatus of the character described including a boiler having a drain, a feed for the boiler, a heating element in the boiler, a control for the feed and heating element to provide for the automatic vaporization of water in the boiler, and means controlling the feed and drain to automatically flush out the boiler before and after each operation of the boiler.

ROBERT E. BROWN. 

